The Deputy Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has urged the government to eliminate all forms of betting and gaming in the country if it does not endorse the involvement of young individuals in such activities.

He recommended that the government clarify its stance on betting, as the rationale behind implementing the 10% tax is not well-received by the youth.

The introduction of a 10% betting tax, part of the government's strategy to generate revenue, has been met with criticism and apprehension.

Malik Basintale expressed reservations about the implementation of the 10% betting tax and criticized the government for its engagement in gambling.

In an interview with the media, Malik Basintale argued that, "the Gaming Commission Act said gambling is a game of chance, and a game to have fun. The government that brought this Act can repeal it at any point in time. Government is the biggest gambler in the country. The government through the lotteries authority manages gambling in this country. The president appoints a CEO to gamble with the people of this country. The government doesn’t see the need to repeal that Act. The government doesn’t see the need to close down the entire lottery system. But they think that by imposing punitive taxes on this service, they will move a lot of people out of it."

“How does this tax frighten any youth out of this betting? The 21 new taxes you introduced, was that your intention to frighten businesses? If you think you don’t support the position of young people in this country betting, then abolish it. So that we will know that you don’t like it, it should be clear, the moral definition or the moral explanation to this doesn’t fly for me because there’s a law backing it”.

He criticized the government's "irresponsible" assumption that their tax would drive young individuals away from the betting industry without offering alternatives.

“Your 10% tax means that go and bet, and when you win, give me 10%. And that is your idea of chicken people out of the betting industry. How irresponsible that thought can be, taxing betting is not a responsible measure of pushing people out of it. There are other alternatives you could choose from,” Malik Basintale pointed out.

The NDC Deputy Communications Officer also criticized the government for subjecting bettors to double taxation, arguing that they are already taxed through the e-levy.

He called upon the government to permit young people to make their own choices regarding participation in betting, emphasizing that there is a legal foundation supporting it.

“That factor of immorality should be left up to the individual’s reasoning.”